Henry County Schools beat Georgia’s scores on its first College and Career Ready Performance Index, measuring achievement and progress from the 2011-12 school year.

The index replaces the Adequate Yearly Progress scores previously mandated under the No Child Left Behind Act, from which Georgia received a waiver in 2012.

Using end-of-course and standardized tests, the index measures the ability of students to pursue college-level work and careers.

A perfect score is 100, just like in classroom tests and homework.

Henry County elementary schools beat 80 percent of their counterparts by scoring an average of 87.9, while Georgia’s overall score was 83.4.

Scores ranged from 64.2 at Oakland Elementary in McDonough to 94.1 at Pate’s Creek Elementary in Stockbridge. Middle schools scored 83.9 over the state’s 81.4 and outdid 60 percent of other districts. The high and low ends of the scale were Dutchtown Middle in Hampton with 95.8 to Stockbridge Middle with 78.5. The county’s 10 high schools averaged 74.9, beating the 72.6 points posted by the state while also outpacing 60 percent of other school systems.

The range stretched from Union Grove High with 90.9 to Patrick Henry High with the school system low of 43.9.

“Patrick Henry is our alternative school, so they don’t have a set number of kids all the time,” said school system spokesman John Hardin. “Kids come and go, and the ones there are normally attending because they got in trouble.” By city, Hampton schools ranged from 76.3 to 95.8, Locust Grove from 69.9 to 89.6, McDonough from 64.2 to 94.2 and Stockbridge from 62.8 to 94.1. Aaryn Schmuhl, county assistant superintendent for learning and leadership services, said the index gives administrators, faculty and staff another tool for student achievement.

“The [index] is just an additional way for us to look at our schools and data about our students to focus improvement efforts in those places where it can have the most impact,” Schmuhl said in a statement.

“Our department will use the [index] reports to continue to target areas for support as we work to ensure high-quality instructional practices in all classrooms.”

Henry Superintendent Ethan Hildreth said the new index “provides a helpful overview” of school progress.

“The index supports our focus on student achievement and preparation for lifelong learning and achievement,” he said in a statement.

“The resulting data will help inform continuing school improvement efforts.”

*We welcome your comments on the stories and issues of the day and seek to provide a forum for the community to voice opinions. All comments are subject to moderator approval before being made visible on the website but are not edited. The use of profanity, obscene and vulgar language, hate speech, and racial slurs is strictly prohibited. Advertisements, promotions, spam, and links to outside websites will also be rejected. Please read our terms of service for full guides